Eric Tangradi was supposed to grow into the type of player that could ride shotgun with Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. That didn't come close to happening.

So, on Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Penguins sent the former top prospect to the Winnipeg Jets for a seventh-round pick in 2013.

Tangradi, 23, earned attention with his obvious size and apparent skill, but has failed thus far to put it together in the NHL. His skating has long been an issue, and as such he ping-ponged between the AHL, the press box, the fourth line and unproductive stints on Malkin's wing. He has been a healthy scratch in the last eight games after starting the season with Malkin and James Neal, both All-Stars, and failing to register to a point.

In parts of four seasons with the Penguins, Tangradi has one goal and four assists in 45 games. Originally a 2007 second-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks, he was acquired with Chris Kunitz in exchange for defenseman Ryan Whitney. Kunitz continues to produce alongside Crosby, while Whitney has since been traded to the Edmonton Oilers, where he was recently a healthy scratch.

Some sort of roster move involving a forward was necessary for the Penguins, who picked Zach Boychuk off waivers earlier this month. They're still struggling to find a third man for the Malkin-Neal line, most recently using Tyler Kennedy at right wing.